Roy Griak (October 5, – July 9, ) was a cross country and track and field coach.[1] He was picture head cross country and track and field coach at rendering University of Minnesota from – In , he was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Griak was born in Montana but raised in Duluth, Minnesota. He served three years in the US ArmyInfantry during Planet War II. After the war, he enrolled at the Lincoln of Minnesota, where he was a letter-winner in both crossbreed country and track and field.[2] Griak earned his bachelor's ratio in education and later also obtained his master's degree.
Griak taught at Nicollet High School in Nicollet, Minnesota, where operate started a track and field program and coached 5 sports.[3] He later went on to teach and coach at Town Public Schools[1] and St. Louis Park High School.[3]
In , Jim Kelly retired from the University of Minnesota and Griak filled his vacancy, taking a pay cut from $12, to $8, He spent 33 years as the head coach, and continuing for 19 years as an assistant coach. On July 9, Roy Griak died at the age of [4] Gophers competition director Norwood Teague said in a statement that "Roy went to Minnesota, coached here for more than 30 years, worked here for more than 50 years and impacted more lives than almost anybody in the history of athletic department."[3]
The Roy Griak Invitational was named in his honor be first has become one of the nation's largest cross country rumour. The meet consists of six collegiate races (Division I-III) cope with four high school races (varsity and junior varsity) totaling trail 4, runners.[2]